DOH to make condoms cheaper, available

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June 5, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  As the country grapples with the alarming rise in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases, the Department of Health (DOH) plans to distribute affordable condoms in schools and workplaces, aiming to curb unprotected sex, especially among the youth.

“We will make available condoms cheap so it’s easy to access,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa announced yesterday.

Alongside this measure, the health department is coordinating with the Department of Education to set up adolescent clinics in public schools. These will be complemented by educational modules designed to boost awareness and understanding of HIV among students.

“Those contracting HIV are very young,” he said in Filipino, noting that the youngest documented HIV patient in the country is only 12 years old.

While there are ongoing efforts to curb HIV, Herbosa admitted these appear to be ineffective as the number of infections continues to rise.

Because of this, he said the DOH is recommending that President Marcos declare a national public health emergency.

“We need more help; I can’t command other agencies. Only the President can do that,” he explained.

Mpox concerns

Concerns are also growing over the resurgence of monkeypox or mpox.

For instance, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called on schools to implement safety protocols with the incoming academic year in mind.

“I urge our schools to implement measures and promote practices that will help mitigate the risk of mpox transmission among learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel,” he said.

Gatchalian proposed practices such as proper handwashing, respiratory etiquette and health monitoring within schools, as well as ensuring the availability of handwashing stations and maintaining coordination with health facilities.

Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee echoed these concerns, urging the DOH to reactivate a national task force to monitor mpox cases and lead preventive efforts in partnership with local government units.

While some provinces and cities have created local mpox task forces, Lee stressed the need for a national body that would not only track the virus but also guide public communication and preparedness.

He reminded the public that PhilHealth has included mpox in its list of covered illnesses, ensuring medical assistance for diagnosed patients. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Jose Rodel Clapano, Delon Porcalla